Grievous was the disappointment.  To come so near success exasperated his impatient temper, and for a few days his bondage at the chemical works seemed intolerable; he was ready for almost any venture that promised release and new scope for his fretting energies.  But at the moment when nervous irritation was most acute, a remarkable act of kindness suddenly restored to him all the hopes he had abandoned.  One Saturday afternoon he was summoned from his surly retreat in the garret, to speak with a visitor.  On entering the sitting-room, he found his mother in company with Miss Cadman and the Misses Lumb, and from the last-mentioned ladies, who spoke with amiable alternation, he learnt that they were commissioned by Sir Job Whitelaw to offer for his acceptance a three-years’ studentship at Whitelaw College.  Affected by her son’s chagrin, Mrs. Peak had disclosed the story to her sister, who had repeated it to the Misses Lumb, who in turn had made it the subject of a letter to Lady Whitelaw.  It was an annual practice with Sir Job to discover some promising lad whom he could benefit by the payment of his fees for a longer or shorter period of college study.  The hint from Twybridge came to him just at the suitable time, and, on further inquiry, he decided to make proffer of this advantage to Godwin Peak.  The only condition was that arrangements should be made by the student’s relatives for his support during the proposed period.

This generosity took away Godwin’s breath.  The expenditure it represented was trifling, but from a stranger in Sir Job’s position it had something which recalled to so fervent a mind the poetry of Medicean patronage.  For the moment no faintest doubt gave warning to his self-respect; he was eager to accept nobly a benefaction nobly intended.

Miss Cadman, flattered by Sir Job’s attention to her nephew, now came forward with an offer to contribute towards Godwin’s livelihood.  Her supplement would eke into adequacy such slender allowance as the widow’s purse could afford.  Details were privately discussed, resolves were taken.  Mr. Moxey, when it was made known to him, without explanation, that Godwin was to be sent to Whitelaw College, behaved with kindness; he at once released the lad, and added a present to the salary that was due.  Proper acknowledgment of the Baronet’s kindness was made by the beneficiary himself, who wrote a letter giving truer testimony of his mental calibre than would have been offered had he expressed himself by word of mouth.  A genial reply summoned him to an interview as soon as he should have found an abode in Kingsmill.  The lodging he had occupied during the examination was permanently secured, and a new period of Godwin’s life began.

For two years, that is to say until his age drew towards nineteen, Peak pursued the Arts curriculum at Whitelaw.  His mood on entering decided his choice, which was left free to him.  Experience of utilitarian chemistry had for the present made his liberal tastes predominant, and neither the splendid laboratories of Whitelaw nor the repute of its scientific Professors tempted him to what had once seemed his natural direction.  In the second year, however, he enlarged his course by the addition of one or two classes not included in Sir Job’s design; these were paid for out of a present made to him by Mr. Gunnery.